Health Talk

Stephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D., is a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and director of the University of Minnesota Equine Center.

Since her first encounter with horses at the age of two, Stephanie Valberg, D.V.M., Ph.D., has been passionate about equines. She followed her passion through veterinary school, to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and now on to the Equine Research Hall of Fame.

A pioneer of muscle disorders in large animals, Valberg joined the University of Minnesota as an assistant professor in 1993. Shortly thereafter, she rose to the rank of professor and was named director of the University of Minnesota Equine Center in 2003.

Valberg’s work at the University of Minnesota has transformed the way veterinarians and horse owners understand equines. Valberg cites the depth of expertise throughout the Academic Health Center as one of the contributing factors to the gamechanging research she’s been able to complete.

“When I started doing research, there wasn’t much existing science on equine disorders,” said Valberg. “Through the help and involvement of the experts at the U of M, we have been able to investigate genetic, neurologic and muscle diseases in horses – all areas that were previously underexplored.”

Though Valberg’s work centers on equines – her primary passion – the reward she gets as a result of her job is twofold.

“Improving the relationship between owners and their horses has been exceptionally rewarding,” said Valberg. “But, it has also been rewarding to be able to provide students with the information they need to work with horses and push equine research further.”

Valberg’s passion for horses and one-of-a-kind research has helped her blaze a trail all the way to the Equine Research Hall of Fame.  Her induction into the hall is considered among the highest honors commemorating a lifetime of contribution to equine research.

And to top it all off? Valberg is the first woman to receive the lifetime achievement honor.

Congratulations, Dr. Valberg! #UMNProud